While most people see deteriorating sight as an inevitable part of aging, the Alternative Medicine E-newsletter says that a growing body of evidence suggests that it’s possible to slow down and even reverse age-related eye disorders. The key is to pay attention to what we eat.

Vitamin A, for instance, found in eggs, dairy, and vegetables such as spinach and carrots, is essential to proper functioning of the retina and helps prevent blindness. Two other antioxidants, lutein and lycopene, abundant in broccoli, dark leafy greens, tomatoes and fruits like mangoes and papayas, also have been found to slow common age-related eye diseases. Onions and garlic contain sulfur, which helps the body to form glutathione, another powerful antioxidant that protects the lens against cataracts. And last, but not least, health experts urge us to enjoy more fish, snack on nuts and load up on whole grains to ensure a healthy dose of vitamin E, minerals and essential fatty acids that help keep eyes healthy and prevent age-related macular degeneration.